Hoenn Region
At the entrance of a certain cave.
Steven Stone smiled as he put away his phone. He removed the miner's helmet still flashing on his head and casually handed it to the assistant beside him.
The assistant skillfully took the helmet. Seeing the young president's cheerful expression, he couldn't help but ask:
"Forgive my curiosity, Young Master. Did you find a mineral you particularly like on this trip?"
"Not really," Steven replied with a gentle smile.
"I just happened to come across a very interesting Trainer online and felt like making his acquaintance."
He lightly brushed his short light-blue hair that had been flattened by the helmet. Resting his chin on his hand, he pondered for a moment before asking:
"By the way, has our company ever entered the gaming industry?"
"Reporting to you, Young Master," the assistant answered respectfully,
"Our company's main businesses focus on electronic technology products and Pokémon fossil research. We haven't entered the gaming industry yet."
Though outwardly calm, the assistant was secretly astonished.
A Trainer worthy of the young president personally reaching out to… could it be a Champion from another region?
Red?
Blue?
Or perhaps Champion Lance?
Steven's gentle voice interrupted his thoughts.
"If I remember correctly, a large natural mineral deposit was recently discovered in the Kunlun Mountains of the Sinnoh Region., right?"
"That's correct. It was discovered about a month and a half ago—around the time you were still working in the underground mining zone."
"Prepare a sum of funding and inform my father," Steven said.
"I'm considering having the company expand into the gaming industry."
As he spoke, he took a Luxury Ball from his belt and tossed it.
A flash of light appeared, and the majestic Metagross emerged before them.
Steven lightly stepped onto Metagross's sturdy body platform and murmured to himself:
"You said you'd treat me to dinner…
Looks like I should find some time to visit the Sinnoh Region.."
Kanto Region
Pallet Town — Delia's Restaurant
Suddenly, a passionate roar erupted from the second floor, shattering the quiet afternoon.
"GYARADOS—USE OUTRAGE! Rei Akagi is SO—COOL—!"
The phone screen went dark.
Ash Ketchum tossed aside the triangular nightcap on his head and sat up abruptly, eyes shining as he looked at Pikachu beside him.
"I've decided! Our next journey will be to the Sinnoh Region.!"
"Pika-Pika!"
Pikachu, equally fired up, gave a thumbs-up and nodded firmly.
"Even after traveling through two regions, you're still this reckless."
A gentle voice suddenly interrupted them, pouring cold water on their excitement.
"The Sinnoh League Conference hasn't even started yet. If you go traveling there now, you won't be able to participate."
They looked toward the doorway.
The bedroom door had somehow opened.
Standing there was a gentle woman wearing an apron and holding a spatula.
"Stop lazing in bed. Come downstairs and eat before the food gets cold."
"Oh… Mom."
Ash instantly deflated like a popped balloon.
"Got it… I'm coming."
Pikachu, however, stood up straight and gave a salute as Delia Ketchum headed downstairs.
At the dining table.
Seeing her son listlessly poking at his rice, Delia sighed helplessly and decided to start a conversation.
"Ash, if I remember correctly, you've never officially taken a Trainer Rank Certification, right?"
"Yeah… that's right, Mom," Ash replied weakly.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well…" Delia thought for a moment.
"The Sinnoh League Conference hasn't started yet, but I heard they're hosting a special tournament for novice trainers recently."
She paused before adding:
"Even though you've already participated in two regional League Conferences, since you never took the official certification—and your age still qualifies—you should be eligible to join."
"It could be a nice short trip goal."
"Really?!"
Ash instantly revived to full energy.
He jumped to his feet, grabbed Pikachu—who was still eating—and dashed upstairs.
"Mom! I'm going to pack my things!"
Unova Region
Outskirts of Aspertia City
Rosa exited the livestream that had just ended.
After finding and following the account called "Dreaming of Retiring as a Salted Fish," she slipped her phone into her shoulder bag.
Once she packed up the picnic supplies, she stood up and stretched her long legs clad in black yoga pants.
Her chestnut twin-tails swayed gently.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, outlining the tall and curvy silhouette of the girl.
"Hmm… So Mew really exists!"
"Teacher Salted Fish is so secretive about everything… I really want to ask him in person."
She lowered her head and looked at the Pokémon by her feet.
"Hey, Snivy, what do you think about us traveling to the Sinnoh Region. first?"
Snivy raised its tiny head, clearly stunned, trying to recall where the Sinnoh Region. even was.
"Whatever!"
Rosa suddenly clenched her small fist and pumped it in front of her chest, her full figure bouncing slightly with the motion.
"They're holding a novice trainer tournament there anyway! We'll go compete—and come back afterward!"
"Snivy…?"
Similar scenes were unfolding across many different regions.
And the instigator of it all—
Rei Akagi—
was currently busy arguing with his system interface.
"SystemNotification: Due to the contractor's actions, a large number of individuals have produced positive feedback. Calculating statistics… Please wait."
"SystemNotification: Note—repeated positive feedback from the same individual of the same type will gradually reduce BP gain efficiency."
"SystemNotification: Livestream activity has generated 1008.5 Battle Points. Predicted future influence: 4106.11 Battle Points."
"SystemNotification: 'Pokémon' game release has generated 5412.21 Battle Points. Predicted future influence: 13112.11 Battle Points."
Rei Akagi sucked in a sharp breath.
"Terrifying… truly terrifying."
The momentum created by the release of Pokémon had far exceeded expectations.
Even though he had mentally prepared for it, the massive amount of Battle Points still made his heart race.
"Adding everything together… I've already broken 20,000 Battle Points."
What did 20,000 Battle Points mean?
Five portions of Rayquaza!
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Rei Akagi glanced at Gastly beside him.
The little ghost was happily devouring food, its mouth greasy with satisfaction.
Taking advantage of the momentum, Rei Akagi decided to expand his influence even further.
He walked to the computer, launched Pokémon, and began recording footage while editing a video.
He planned to release his first Hidden Event explanation video, riding the wave of the game's popularity to harvest even more Battle Points.
Halfway through editing, Rei Akagi suddenly felt a cool, gentle sensation on his back.
Turning around—
Gastly was floating behind him, using its semi-transparent gas hands to imitate a massage.
The "gas massage" had almost no physical sensation, and Rei Akagi had no idea where the little guy learned it.
But seeing Gastly's serious and focused expression somehow made him even more motivated.
The moon rose high in the sky.
After confirming there were no problems with the edited video, Rei Akagi clicked Upload and stretched lazily.
Gastly had already fallen asleep in his arms.
Rei Akagi gently poked its soft cheek and carefully carried it back to the bed.
Just as he finished washing up and was about to sleep—
His phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
"Garchomp_and_IceCream: Play a game."
Rei Akagi blinked.
Then blinked again.
For a moment he wondered if he was so sleepy he was hallucinating.
"Dreaming_of_Retiring_as_a_Salted_Fish: ?"
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789